Heartland keeper is star of The Predictor’s XI

Heartland goalkeeper, Chinedu Udeh, is the star of my Matchday 12 team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

This 21-year-old custodian has put in massive shift for the Cup holders in recent games in the absent of first-choice Daniel Akpeyi and it was no surprise when he stood up to 3SC on Wednesday.

In September 2010, Udeh was one of six trialists from neighbouring non-league side, Inter Enugu, who undergone test with the Heartland squad.

Udeh’s performance had caught the attention of then Heartland head coach, Samson Siasia, who moved for him after the modest side defeated the NPFL club 3-2 in a friendly match.

The ex-Inter Enugu goalkeeper had a one-man show against 3SC with his heroic saves, which helped Heartland keep a two-goal lead till the end of the tie to secure a first away win in more than four years.

The quartet of Festus Umanah, Moses Awala, Manga Mohammed and Bobby Waziri make up the backline in a 4-4-2 formation.

In midfield, Ichull Lordson, Chigozie Christopher, Onoriode Odah and Kalu Orji were my best performers in the middle on the day.

In fact Orji looked more comfortable going forward from his left-back position which is why I moved him in front of Wikki left-back Waziri.

On a matchday the big names went missing, the front two of Peter Ebimobowei and Ebere Odiche turned out the best strikers for me.

Ebimobowei was a handful for Nasarawa United while Odiche’s precision and guile in front of goal against 3SC stood him out.

For the man who sits in the dugout of my team on this matchday, it had to be no other than Heartland manager, Ndubuisi Nduka. He masterminded Heartland’s first league win on the road in more than four years and at a difficult ground in Ibadan.